Personalizable cigar humidor

ABSTRACT

A humidor has a base having a hollow wood-lined interior for containing cigars, a lid hingedly affixed to the base and positionable relative thereto for either covering or exposing the interior, the lid having an outside upper surface having a plurality of first portions of fastening elements disposed thereon, a graphic or textual sheet positionable atop the outside surface inboard of the first portions, and a frame removably affixable to the outside upper surface of the lid and having a transparent window there-through for allowing view of a graphic sheet when the frame is affixed to the outside upper surface, the frame having a plurality of second portions of fastening elements surround the window, each aligned with, affixable to, and removable from one of the first portions to removably affix the frame to the outside upper surface.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates, in general, to cigar humidors which improve the qualities imparted to cigars contained therein, and in particular to a new and useful humidor which is conveniently personalizable to be especially useful for such purposes as a gift or an award.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Although an important function of a humidor is to safely store and enhance cigars, an ancillary function of the typical humidor is to serve as a decorative furnishing and to impressively present cigars to guests and such.

Humidors are generally in the form of a generally rectangular wooden box with a wooden lining. The wooden lining has only a relatively small surface area exposed to the interior volume of the box. The job of a conventional humidor is to maintain a relative humidity of about 65 to 75 percent within the humidor. Another objective is to impart a woody seasoned taste to the tobacco products in the humidor. This is achieved both by establishing the moist interior environment and by selecting the appropriate wood for the humidor lining which has a sap that evaporates to add flavor to the cigars. This serves to preserve, age and add flavor to the cigars or other tobacco products stored within the humidor.

The exterior designs of such wooden humidors range from most basic and functional to the most detailed and fanciful. Many cigar aficionados take as much pride in their humidors as in the cigars that they hold. As such, humidors often employ artful styles and craftsmanship, and are finished to compliment or rival the appearance of the finest furnishings.

Like the cigars they are intended to hold, humidors are often awarded as prizes in such events as golf and poker tournaments, and are often given as gifts to the more sophisticated cigar smokers.

It is an object of the present invention to further enhance the experience of receiving a humidor as an award or a gift, and such is a feature of the present invention. It is an object of the present invention to personalize the experience of receiving a humidor as an award or a gift, and such is a feature of the present invention. It is an object of the present invention to personalize a humidor, and such is a feature of the present invention. It is an object of the present invention to allow for the convenient personalization of a humidor, and such is a feature of the present invention. It is an object of the present invention to allow for the convenient re-personalization of a humidor for second and future owners, and such is a feature of the present invention. Further objects and features of the invention will become apparent upon review of the included description and drawings of a representative embodiment of the invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention utilizes a convenient arrangement for incorporating a photograph, an award certificate, or another personal document in a prominent disposition on a humidor. While shown in conjunction with a simple rectilinear wooden humidor, the invention may be simply and obviously adapted to most any other type and style of humidor, with the invention.

The invention allows for the almost instantaneous incorporation of such a personal artifact into the humidor without the use of tools or complicated assembly steps. The invention allows for the simple and convenient changing of the personal artifact to reflect a second or future owner. The invention allows for such personalization without compromising the quality or craftsmanship of the humidor. The invention allows for such personalization in compliment with other personalization techniques, such as engraving or etching.

The invention enables an event to be depicted on the humidor virtually within the moment that an event has occurred. For instance, the giving of a humidor as an award to a golf tournament winner immediately after the recipient has completed the last hole, which humidor includes a photo of a golf tournament winner sinking his last putt on that hole just seconds before, is made possible by the invention.

The invention enables convenient changing of the display on the humidor, without tools or complicated assembly techniques. For instance, the humidor may display the present month's calendar page or the day's schedule, which may be instantly changed the following month or day.

The invention may be embodied in a humidor having a base having a hollow interior for containing cigars, a lid cooperating with the base for either covering or exposing the interior, the lid having an outside surface, and a frame removably affixable to the outside surface and having a transparent window there-through. The window may include a glass pane. The frame may have a first fastening portion for removable affixation to the outside surface. The outside surface may have a second fastening portion for affixation to the first fastening portion. One of the first or second fastening portions may be a magnetic element and the other of the first or second fastening portions may be magnetically attractable thereto. The one of the first or second fastening portions may be the first fastening portion. The second fastening portion may be steel or iron.

The invention may also be embodied in a humidor having a base having a hollow interior for containing cigars, a lid hingedly affixed to the base and positionable relative thereto for either covering or exposing the interior, the lid having an outside upper surface, a graphic or textual sheet positionable atop the outside surface, and a frame removably affixable to the outside surface of the lid and having a transparent window there-through for allowing view of a graphic sheet when the frame is affixed to the outside surface. The window may include a glass pane. The frame may have a first fastening portion for removable affixation to the outside surface. The outside surface may have a second fastening portion for affixation to the first fastening portion. One of the first or second fastening portions may be a magnetic element and the other of the first or second fastening portions may be magnetically attractable thereto. The one of the first or second fastening portions may be the first fastening portion. The second fastening portion may be steel or iron.

The invention may also be embodied in a humidor having a base having a hollow wood-lined interior for containing cigars, a lid hingedly affixed to the base and positionable relative thereto for either covering or exposing the interior, the lid having an outside upper surface having a plurality of first portions of fastening elements disposed thereon, a graphic or textual sheet positionable atop the outside surface inboard of the first portions, and a frame removably affixable to the outside upper surface of the lid and having a transparent window there-through for allowing view of a graphic sheet when the frame is affixed to the outside upper surface, the frame having a plurality of second portions of fastening elements surround the window, each aligned with, affixable to, and removable from one of the first portions to removably affix the frame to the outside upper surface. The window may include a glass pane. One of the first or second fastening portions may be a magnetic element and the other of the first or second fastening portions may be magnetically attractable thereto. The one of the first or second fastening portions may be the second fastening portion. The first fastening portion may be steel or iron. The outside upper surface and the frame may both have substantially equal rectangular peripheries, and the plurality of first portions and the plurality of second portions may both be four, each portion being disposed adjacent a corner of the frame or outside upper surface.

Further features and aspects of the invention are disclosed in the accompanying Detailed Description and Drawings, or will be inherently understood by those skilled in the relevant arts.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Many aspects of the invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings showing the representative embodiment of the accompanying Detailed Description. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the invention. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a humidor according to a representative embodiment of the invention with its lid opened, showing the cigars held within;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the humidor of FIG. 1 with its lid closed;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the humidor of FIG. 1 with its lid closed and frame lifted there-from;

FIG. 4 is a partial underside view of the frame of the humidor of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 5 is a partial exploded cross-section of the humidor of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A REPRESENTATIVE EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 depicts a humidor 100 in accordance with just one of an infinite number of possible embodiments of the invention. The humidor includes a base 102, a lid 104, and a frame 106. The lid is hingedly affixed to the base at hinges 108 such that the lid may be lifted to expose the interior of the humidor and the cigars 200 contained therein. A humidifier 300 and hygrometer 400 are affixed to the underside of the lid. The interior if the base and lid are typically constructed of or lined with such an aromatic wood as Spanish Cedar, to impart desirable flavor and aroma to the cigars.

Referring now to FIG. 2, it can be seen that frame is attached to the top surface 112 of lid 104. The frame includes a rectangular wooden periphery 114 having a rectangular window 116 centrally disposed there-through. The window includes a transparent glass pane 118. An engravable plaque 122 is affixed to the frame adjacent the window.

The frame is separable from the lid as seen in FIG. 3, so that a photograph 500 of size and shape similar to the window, or any equivalent graphic or textual sheet, may be placed atop the lid in alignment with the window and viewable through the window's glass pane. The frame and lid affix together in removable fashion by four magnets 124 disposed in the underside of the in the frame's four corners, as seen best in FIG. 4 which align with four steel disks 126 disposed in the top of the lid's four corners, in alignment with and attraction to the magnets.

The magnetic attraction of the steel discs to the magnets is sufficiently strong enough to assure that the frame and lid are forced into proper alignment and held sufficiently rigidly together as the frame is positioned adjacent the lid, thereby trapping the photograph under the window and viewable there-through. The magnetic attraction is sufficiently is sufficiently weak enough to allow for easy removal of the frame form the lid by simply wedging a fingernail of such into the peripheral seam between the lid and frame.

The steel disks could alternatively be any other magnetically attractable material, including an oppositely-poled magnet. Less preferably, the frame could affix to the lid by other temporary fastening means such as “hook and loop” pads, thumb screws, snap fasteners, or stick tack. Even less preferably, the frame could affix to the lid by less temporary fastening means, such as threaded screws or glue.

While the invention has been shown and described with reference to a specific exemplary embodiment, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, and that the invention should therefore only be limited according to the following claims, including all equivalent interpretation to which they are entitled. 

1. A humidor comprising; a base having a hollow interior for containing cigars; a lid cooperating with the base for either covering or exposing the interior, the lid having an outside surface and a first perimeter; and a frame removably affixable to the outside surface, having a transparent window there-through, and having a second perimeter equal to the first perimeter to enable grasping for removal.
 2. The humidor of claim 1 wherein the window comprises a glass pane.
 3. The humidor of claim 2 wherein the frame comprises a first fastening portion for removable affixation to the outside surface.
 4. The humidor of claim 3 wherein the outside surface comprises a second fastening portion for affixation to the first fastening portion.
 5. The humidor of claim 4 wherein one of the first or second fastening portions is a magnetic element and the other of the first or second fastening portions is magnetically attractable thereto.
 6. The humidor of claim 5 wherein the one of the first or second fastening portions is the first fastening portion.
 7. The humidor of claim 6 wherein the second fastening portion comprises steel or iron.
 8. A humidor comprising; a base having a hollow interior for containing cigars; a lid hingedly affixed to the base and positionable relative thereto for either covering or exposing the interior, the lid having an outside upper surface and a first perimeter; a graphic or textual sheet positionable atop the outside surface; and a frame removably affixable to the outside surface of the lid, having a transparent window there-through for allowing view of a graphic sheet when the frame is affixed to the outside surface, and having a second perimeter equal to the first perimeter to enable grasping for removal.
 9. The humidor of claim 8 wherein the window comprises a glass pane.
 10. The humidor of claim 9 wherein the frame comprises a first fastening portion for removable affixation to the outside surface.
 11. The humidor of claim 10 wherein the outside surface comprises a second fastening portion for affixation to the first fastening portion.
 12. The humidor of claim 11 wherein one of the first or second fastening portions is a magnetic element and the other of the first or second fastening portions is magnetically attractable thereto.
 13. The humidor of claim 12 wherein the one of the first or second fastening portions is the first fastening portion.
 14. The humidor of claim 13 wherein the second fastening portion comprises steel or iron.
 15. A humidor comprising; a base having a hollow wood interior for containing cigars; a lid hingedly affixed to the base and positionable relative thereto for either covering or exposing the interior, the lid having an outside upper surface having a plurality of first portions of fastening elements disposed thereon, and a first perimeter; a graphic or textual sheet positionable atop the outside surface inboard of the first portions; and a frame removably affixable to the outside upper surface of the lid, and having a transparent window there-through for allowing view of a graphic sheet when the frame is affixed to the outside upper surface, the frame having a plurality of second portions of fastening elements surrounding the window, each aligned with, affixable to, and removable from one of the first portions to removably affix the frame to the outside upper surface, and the frame having a second perimeter equal to the first perimeter and exposed to enable grasping for removal.
 16. The humidor of claim 15 wherein the window comprises a glass pane.
 17. The humidor of claim 16 wherein one of the first or second fastening portions is a magnetic element and the other of the first or second fastening portions is magnetically attractable thereto.
 18. The humidor of claim 17 wherein the one of the first or second fastening portions is the second fastening portion.
 19. The humidor of claim 18 wherein the first fastening portion comprises steel or iron.
 20. The humidor of claim 19 wherein the outside upper surface and the frame both have substantially equal rectangular peripheries, and wherein the plurality of first portions and the plurality of second portions are both four, each portion being disposed adjacent a corner of the frame or outside upper surface. 